When the primary organs of elimination begin to function abnormally due to an over-accumulation of toxic byproducts, the body will attempt to use secondary routes of elimination to cleanse itself

Date: 3/19/2008 9:37:18 PM ( 7 y ) ... viewed 1572 times

What Is a Toxin?

A toxin (anything which the body cannot use for cellular metabolism) can be generated in several different ways. First, in the process of normal cellular functioning, each cell produces waste products including free radicals (particles that cause cell death), carbon dioxide, and byproducts of enzymatic reactions. All of these waste products must be removed from the cell and, ultimately, from the body.

Second, we take in numerous toxins from our environment. There are toxic material in the air we breathe, the water we drink and bathe in, the products we use to clean and to care for ourselves, even the food we eat all contain impurities that the body absorbs and must subsequently excrete.

Third, an improper balance of beneficial bacteria in our intestines allows other unwanted organisms to flourish. Their (parasites, bacteria, yeast) metabolic waste products are toxic and must be safely and effectively eliminated. When our own body’s environment is generating excessive toxins we call this autointoxication.

The body uses four primary routes to eliminate wastes. The skin, the lungs, the gastrointestinal system and the kidneys routinely process toxins and healthfully excrete them from the body. Every time you sweat, the body is expelling toxins from the skin. Each exhalation is a chance for the body to remove carbon dioxide and other gaseous wastes from the blood. Bowel movements and ion offer daily opportunities to eliminate toxic accumulations. Of course, these routes of elimination can become overwhelmed. This happens when the amount of waste accumulating in the body exceeds its capacity to excrete it and symptoms such as rashes or acne (skin), asthma (lung), burning with ion or edema (kidney), and diarrhea, constipation or reflux (GI) appear. Each of these elimination organs must filter and process wastes before eliminating them.

The liver is not directly responsible for elimination of wastes outside our body. However, it is crucial in the process of detoxification and elimination. All substances that you eat, rub on your skin or breathe will pass by the liver for inspection before being sent into the general circulation. The liver identifies harmful agents and packages them, using nutritional substances like glutathione, so they can be safely eliminated through the bowels and kidneys. If the liver becomes overwhelmed with an abundance of toxins, and is unable to safely package these toxins, then these dangerous compounds can cause symptoms as they circulate freely in your blood stream. People who have an overworked or sluggish liver can start to experience multiple chemical and environmental sensitivities or an increasing number of food sensitivities. An increased sensitivity to perfumes or scents may indicate the initial stages of this problem.

Alternative Routes of Elimination: Why Does Your Body Use Them?

When the primary organs of elimination begin to function abnormally due to an over-accumulation of toxic byproducts, the body will attempt to use secondary routes of elimination to cleanse itself. Mucous membranes anywhere in the body can become a path by which the body eliminates waste material. Therefore, in chronic states of toxicity, patients experience symptoms such as discharge, sinusitis, chronic post-nasal drip, acne and eczema.

Eventually, as the body is unable to efficiently eliminate all toxic accumulations through its primary and secondary routes of elimination, the wastes build up. These poisons interfere with proper physiological function. As a result, patients report fatigue, decreased ability to cope with day-to-day stresses, impaired sleep, and changes in their mood. Eventually, degenerative diseases develop.